MOSCOW, May 6 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian Defense Ministry does not see any threat of disruption for the upcoming International Security Conference in Moscow, the head of the ministry’s Foreign Military Cooperation Directorate told journalists Tuesday.
“I can tell you with confidence that we do not see a threat of disruption of the traditional May conference, despite the statements made by the US and NATO about the suspension of military cooperation with Russia. We are continuing planned activities, there has been no decision on cancellation or reformatting the conference,” Sergei Koshelev said.
He added that official delegations of NATO member countries have not yet confirmed their attendance.
“In the meantime, representatives of the Western nongovernmental organizations express keen interest in the conference. Presently, delegates from over 40 countries have sent confirmations of attendance,” Koshelev said.
The conference, organized by the Russian Defense Ministry, will be held in Moscow on May 23-24 for the third time. This year the main topics on the agenda will be recent events in the Middle East, North Africa and Afghanistan. In addition, participants will discuss the situation in Ukraine and the so-called “color revolutions.” The US has refused to attend the conference due to tensions between Moscow and Washington over Russia’s reunification with Crimea in March.
